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Karnataka's 2019: Things you don't want to miss 

As 2019 draws to a close, The New Indian Express looks at some crucial events that took place this year, and important decisions that shaped the state. 
TO TIPU OR NOT TO TIPU: BJP leaders demanded the removal of Tipu Sultan lessons from textbooks. However, a special committee was formed to deliberate whether lessons pertaining to the Mysuru ruler should be dropped, retained, or modified. The committee members, comprising subject experts, submitted a report to the Karnataka Textbook Society on December 6. A decision, however, is yet to be announced. (Photo | Vinod Kumar T, EPS)
TO TIPU OR NOT TO TIPU: BJP leaders demanded the removal of Tipu Sultan lessons from textbooks. However, a special committee was formed to deliberate whether lessons pertaining to the Mysuru ruler should be dropped, retained, or modified. The committee members, comprising subject experts, submitted a report to the Karnataka Textbook Society on December 6. A decision, however, is yet to be announced. (Photo | Vinod Kumar T, EPS)
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WHEN MORE PEOPLE GOT WINGS: Eleven years after Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) began operations, the airport in 2019 got a slew of facilities — from inauguration of second runway to construction of a swanky new second terminal. While the new south parallel runway was opened on December 6, the second terminal’s deadline is March 2021. Also, a new south access road to the airport was opened in June as the original road was closed for widening to cater to the surge in passenger traffic expected after opening of the second terminal. BIAL is also building a new railway station near Devanahalli and BMTC buses will be made available from this station to the terminal. While Kalaburagi got its first flight in November 22 (to Bengaluru), other Tier-II cities like Mangaluru, Belagavi and Hubballi also got more flights in 2019. (Photo | Vinod Kumar T, EPS)
WHEN MORE PEOPLE GOT WINGS: Eleven years after Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) began operations, the airport in 2019 got a slew of facilities — from inauguration of second runway to construction of a swanky new second terminal. While the new south parallel runway was opened on December 6, the second terminal’s deadline is March 2021. Also, a new south access road to the airport was opened in June as the original road was closed for widening to cater to the surge in passenger traffic expected after opening of the second terminal. BIAL is also building a new railway station near Devanahalli and BMTC buses will be made available from this station to the terminal. While Kalaburagi got its first flight in November 22 (to Bengaluru), other Tier-II cities like Mangaluru, Belagavi and Hubballi also got more flights in 2019. (Photo | Vinod Kumar T, EPS)
GOING FAST & DIGITAL: If waiting in line on a highway to pay toll fees gets your goat, the Centre’s decision to make payments electronic and automatic should come as a relief. The move to introduce FASTags, however, has left many concerned, while the others are plain confused on how to go about getting them. The system is expected to be put in place by January 15. (Photo | Pushkar V, EPS)
GOING FAST & DIGITAL: If waiting in line on a highway to pay toll fees gets your goat, the Centre’s decision to make payments electronic and automatic should come as a relief. The move to introduce FASTags, however, has left many concerned, while the others are plain confused on how to go about getting them. The system is expected to be put in place by January 15. (Photo | Pushkar V, EPS)
TEARS ALL THE WAY: What with its price soaring to Rs 170 a kg, onion brought tears to customers even as they purchased the much-loved, extensively-used vegetable. (Photo | PTI)
TEARS ALL THE WAY: What with its price soaring to Rs 170 a kg, onion brought tears to customers even as they purchased the much-loved, extensively-used vegetable. (Photo | PTI)
BIG CAT NUMBERS UP, BUT STATE SLIPS IN TIGER CENSUS: Karnataka slipped to the second spot when the tiger census report was released in July. Even though its population increased by 100 since 2014, Madhya Pradesh pipped the state. As per the NTCA report, India’s count stands at 2,967, of which Karnataka and MP house 524 and 526 of the striped animal respectively. With an annual increase of 7.5 per cent, the state registered a 29 per cent increase in the period. Bandipur, Nagarhole and BRT continue to be high tiger holding reserves. Signs of a healthy population were also recorded at MM Hills and Cauvery sanctuaries. For the first time, areas outside tiger reserves were also assessed, which will help the department chalk out better conservation plans to curtail rising cases of man-tiger conflicts. (Photo | EPS)
BIG CAT NUMBERS UP, BUT STATE SLIPS IN TIGER CENSUS: Karnataka slipped to the second spot when the tiger census report was released in July. Even though its population increased by 100 since 2014, Madhya Pradesh pipped the state. As per the NTCA report, India’s count stands at 2,967, of which Karnataka and MP house 524 and 526 of the striped animal respectively. With an annual increase of 7.5 per cent, the state registered a 29 per cent increase in the period. Bandipur, Nagarhole and BRT continue to be high tiger holding reserves. Signs of a healthy population were also recorded at MM Hills and Cauvery sanctuaries. For the first time, areas outside tiger reserves were also assessed, which will help the department chalk out better conservation plans to curtail rising cases of man-tiger conflicts. (Photo | EPS)
40 DAYS, 3 LAKE BREACHES: Lakes breaching in Bengaluru is not new, but for the first time, three lakes in different parts of the city breached in a matter of 40 days. While officials defended the BBMP, calling the incidents mere coincidences, locals and experts said improper management is to blame. Hulimavu Lake breached on November 28, Hosakerahalli Lake on November 10 and Doddabidrikallu Lake on October 10. In all three cases, initial reports and statements from the BBMP showed that contractors were involved. The civic body also set up a committee to investigate the incidents. (Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal, EPS)
40 DAYS, 3 LAKE BREACHES: Lakes breaching in Bengaluru is not new, but for the first time, three lakes in different parts of the city breached in a matter of 40 days. While officials defended the BBMP, calling the incidents mere coincidences, locals and experts said improper management is to blame. Hulimavu Lake breached on November 28, Hosakerahalli Lake on November 10 and Doddabidrikallu Lake on October 10. In all three cases, initial reports and statements from the BBMP showed that contractors were involved. The civic body also set up a committee to investigate the incidents. (Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal, EPS)
NAMMA METRO CHUGS ALONG, BUT SLOWLY: The Bengaluru Metro came closer to its longpromised ridership of 5 lakh commuters per day by clocking its highest-ever ridership of 4,83,103. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation fare revenue crossed Rs 1 crore daily. The last train departure time has been extended to 12 am, and will be extended by 35 more minutes from January 1. Work related to Phase-II of Namma Metro continued throughout the year, with construction work taking place across the city. (Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal, EPS)
NAMMA METRO CHUGS ALONG, BUT SLOWLY: The Bengaluru Metro came closer to its longpromised ridership of 5 lakh commuters per day by clocking its highest-ever ridership of 4,83,103. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation fare revenue crossed Rs 1 crore daily. The last train departure time has been extended to 12 am, and will be extended by 35 more minutes from January 1. Work related to Phase-II of Namma Metro continued throughout the year, with construction work taking place across the city. (Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal, EPS)
A SOLID WASTE PROBLEM: From being called the Garden City, Bengaluru has slowly earned the tag of Garbage City. But now, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is striving hard to change this image. It has floated tenders for solid waste management for 178 of the 198 wards. This year, the NGT also came down heavily on the civic body for improper waste management. (Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal, EPS)
A SOLID WASTE PROBLEM: From being called the Garden City, Bengaluru has slowly earned the tag of Garbage City. But now, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is striving hard to change this image. It has floated tenders for solid waste management for 178 of the 198 wards. This year, the NGT also came down heavily on the civic body for improper waste management. (Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal, EPS)
A BUS LANE OF ITS OWN: Bengaluru is known for its slow traffic, but most commuters are reluctant to give up using private transport. In a bid to make taking a bus more popular, the city saw a much-needed bus priority lane come up in one of its busiest areas - Outer Ring Road. Though there have been initial glitches with several vehicles encroaching the exclusive lane, fines and awareness programmes may help improve the system. (Photo | Sriram BN, EPS)
A BUS LANE OF ITS OWN: Bengaluru is known for its slow traffic, but most commuters are reluctant to give up using private transport. In a bid to make taking a bus more popular, the city saw a much-needed bus priority lane come up in one of its busiest areas - Outer Ring Road. Though there have been initial glitches with several vehicles encroaching the exclusive lane, fines and awareness programmes may help improve the system. (Photo | Sriram BN, EPS)
SHARAVATHI’S BOON AND BANE: While the boundaries of Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary were extended and renamed Sharavathi Valley LTM (liontailed macaque) Sanctuary, the state government gave permission to the Energy Department to carry out field survey to set up an overhead storage tank in the region to pump water and generate electricity. These two decisions showed that CM B S Yediyurappa to be in a tight fix, as he holds the energy portfolio and is also the head of the state wildlife board. Sharavathy was declared as a LTM conservation reserve in January and permission for survey was given in September on a condition that no vehicles can be used inside and that the eco-system should not be disturbed. The survey permission earned the state government a lot of criticism from greens as they said that this was the key to exploitation of the reserve. The Energy Department has shown hope as this will help them generate up to 1,000 MW of electricity. (Photo | EPS)
SHARAVATHI’S BOON AND BANE: While the boundaries of Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary were extended and renamed Sharavathi Valley LTM (liontailed macaque) Sanctuary, the state government gave permission to the Energy Department to carry out field survey to set up an overhead storage tank in the region to pump water and generate electricity. These two decisions showed that CM B S Yediyurappa to be in a tight fix, as he holds the energy portfolio and is also the head of the state wildlife board. Sharavathy was declared as a LTM conservation reserve in January and permission for survey was given in September on a condition that no vehicles can be used inside and that the eco-system should not be disturbed. The survey permission earned the state government a lot of criticism from greens as they said that this was the key to exploitation of the reserve. The Energy Department has shown hope as this will help them generate up to 1,000 MW of electricity. (Photo | EPS)
Karnataka
Bengaluru
Bengaluru metro
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